A public state senate debate was held in Belle Meade before next month's elections, but only two of the four invited candidates showed up.
The forum was put on by the League of Women Voters. House of Representatives candidate for District 56 Chris Moth and state senate candidate for district 20 Erin Coleman participated in the forum.
They answered questions about mass incarceration, gun violence and health care.
About 80 people filled the room to hear the candidates address these issues and why they're running.
"I'm running because we need a representative who will support the value of this district and not align with the extreme agendas of our rural legislatures," said Moth.
State House Speaker Beth Harwell did not attend because of a scheduling conflict.
Steve Dickerson pulled out hours before the debate. His campaign said they believe his opponent Coleman received the debate questions before the forum.
Dickerson released the following statement Thursday afternoon:
"After receiving word of potential coordination between some of the organizers of tonight's forum and the Coleman campaign I have decided not to attend. I have the utmost respect for he hosts and attendees, but felt like after receiving this information, the appropriate course of action was to not participate in this evening's forum. However, I do hope to have the opportunity to come and speak at a later date during the campaign."
"I want to take this time to say that is absolutely untrue. It's another false hood of the coming out of his campaign and out of the Republican caucus," said Coleman.
Coleman also said a recent ad put out by the Dickerson campaign about her is false and she said she wants him to take it down and run a truthful campaign.
